China urges non-interference in Venezuela affairs

This handout file picture, released by the Venezuelan presidency, shows Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (C) leading a commemorative event to mark the Bicentennial of the Angostura Congress at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on February 15, 2019. (Via AFP)

China has urged non-interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela, urging a negotiated solution to the political dispute in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, “We urge other countries to adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, that is, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.”

He said the conflicting parties in Venezuela had to find a political solution “through dialog and negotiations.”

The spokesperson also described the country as “an important trade partner of China in Latin America,” reiterating Beijing’s commitment to trade with Caracas.

“China would like to cooperate with Venezuela in various fields in order to better benefit our people on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and common development,” he said.

China has loaned some 50 billion dollars to Venezuela in the past decade, with Caracas repaying the debt in several installments with oil shipments.

Venezuela has been in political turmoil over the past weeks, with the opposition blaming President Nicolas Maduro for an ailing economy, hyperinflation, power cuts, and shortages of basic items, and urging him to resign.

The political crisis deepened in the South American country on January 23, when opposition figure Juan Guaido, a lawmaker who leads the defunct National Assembly, proclaimed himself the “interim president” of Venezuela. US President Donald Trump was quick to officially recognize him as such, announcing sanctions on Venezuela’s oil exports, the government’s main source of revenue.

Some major Western powers such as the UK, France, Spain, and Germany have also recognized Guaido as “interim president,” a move seen by Caracas and others as interference in its domestic affairs.

Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and Syria have supported the elected government of Maduro.